South Holland Pride Awards: Citizen of the Year and Child of Courage finalists
To help you make up your mind here's the lowdown on the Citizen of the Year and Child of Courage entrants.
For information on how to vote click here.
The full line up for the Citizen of the Year is:
Wendy Jeffries, Long Sutton 3000
Long Sutton Civic Society secretary Wendy Jeffries was nominated for her dedication to a host of causes in the town.
As well as her work with the civic society she also takes up a similar role with Long Sutton Conservative Ladies and is regularly called into action as a cake maker at events in the town.
She was one of the chief organisers of the town's centenary celebrations and has taken on the mantle of poppy collector in the Gedney Road area for 25 years.
Wendy said: "The town is very dear to my heart. If there is any help needed anywhere them I am always willing to do it."
Mary Cooper, Holbeach 3001
Holbeach charity shop worker Mary Cooper (61) took redundancy from Sue Ryder Care following a restructuring programme, but rather than retire decided to use her skills and enthusiasm to set up her own shop in support of the Holbeach Hospital League of Friends.
The new shop opened in October in High Street in Jocelyn's Fashions former premises.
Her daughter, Samantha Favell, nominated her for the award and said: "She's worked for Sue Ryder for around 20 years and has worked every hour god sends to go above and beyond to raise that little bit extra money."
Christine Wicks, Long Sutton 3002
Christine Wicks has been put forward to contest by parish, district and county councillor Chris Brewis.
Coun Brewis said he has been impressed by Christine's devotion to the Cowper's Gate Sensory Garden community project - and her work to raise the profile from the rare condition actinomycosis, which she suffers from.
Christine and her neighbours famously opposed the district council when it tries to build a children's playground on her estate - bravely barring the workmen from getting to the land.
She not only persuaded them to change their minds but also went on to establish the sensory garden - which has wowed visitors to the town, including East Midlands in Bloom judges.
David Ringham, Crowland 3003
David Ringham is heavily involved in Crowland life as an active member of the parish council, chairman of Crowland Cares, chairman of the Crowland Youth Scene and a founder member of the Crowland Lions.
He was nominated by fellow parish councillor Reg Boot who said: "He works hard to help both older and younger members of the community and is always positive and will always work to find a solution to any problem whilst maintainting his sense of humour."
David is proud of his success in tackling policing issues on the neighbourhood panel and was "absolutely amazed" to be nominated".
Karl Gernert, Spalding 3004
ACT II theatre company artistic director Karl Gernert was nominated by Jeanne Sibley, from Long Sutton, who was impressed with the work he put into a series of mystery plays he helped run with the East Elloe Deanery.
Karl has a degree in English and drama and has qualified teacher status and he formed Act II in 2004 to provide music and drama services in south Lincolnshire.
ACT II's most recent production saw the group transport audiences back to 1985 into the world of perms and shell suits with The Wedding Singer.
Other recent shows include We Will Rock You, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Jungle Book.
Father Jonathan Sibley, Long Sutton 3005
Long Sutton parish priest Father Jonathan Sibley has been a priest for more than 20 years and plays an active role in the life of the town as well as with projects to protect and restore St Mary's Church.
He was a driving force behind a campaign to help restore the church roof, which work successfully completed earlier this year, and was put forward for the award by Angela Reeve, the treasurer to the Long Sutton Migrant Workers Forum.
Father Jonathan moved to the area in 2001 and is a keen supporter of local musicians, with many demonstrating their skills at the church.
Rita Rudkin, Holbeach 3006
Rita Rudkin, a district and parish councillor for Holbeach, was nominated by resident Christine Smith.
Coun Rudkin has been instrumental in setting up a class to help migrant workers in the town improve their English and tailors the classes to what her enthusiastic pupils want to learn.
She also represents the town on a number of council committees including the development control committee and the policy development panel and outside bodies such as the primary school provision review panel and South Holland Internal Drainage Board.
Sam Raines, Gedney Dyke 3007
Holbeach and Spalding explorer scouts district commissioner Sam Raines is one of the youngest district commissioners in the country at 22 and is responsible for all of South Holland's 14 to 18-year-old explorer scouts.
He became a leader in his early teens and started off as a cub in the Gedney pack, which has now folded.
He was recently handed a special award from the College of West Anglia in Wisbech for his commitment to the community and the scouting movement.
Sam was nominated for the competition by his mum Teresa.
Dennis Tennant, Long Sutton 3008
Popular 73-year-old Dennis Tennat has been a parish councillor for Long Sutton for 26 years and for Lutton for four years as well as a district councillor for 18 years.
Dennis has also helped keep his town clean and tidy with regular litter picks in the last 16 years, helping Long Sutton to East Midlands in Bloom glory.
He also plants large displays of spring bulbs in the church yard, keeps up the traditional Town Cryer role and leads historical walks.
He was put forward for the award by wife Jean Tennant.
Jackie Anderson, Spalding 3009
Scheme manager Jackie Anderson is on hand to help 110 people in Sezanne Walk, Speyer Avenue and Parkside Crescent and former colleague Jenny Coley is impressed with her dedication to the cause.
Jenny said: "She truly is an unsung hero because of the hard work she does and the personal touch she gives to everyone."
Jenny says that Jackie has given up her birthday, holidays and even once delayed an operation to make sure she looked after her tenants.
Ron Rouse, Gedney Hill 3010
Ron Rouse, of Hillgate, in Gedney Hill, cannot work after suffering a stroke in 2005 but battled back from adversity and sells a selection of plants and garden items at a mini garden centre at his home - with the money going to good causes.
Mr Rouse, who is helped by members of his family, was nominated by customer and fellow Gedney hill resident Joy Depear.
Speaking of his work he said: "We all find this very satisfying and rewarding and it also gives me an opportunity to feel useful again.
"Helping others is a wonderful motivation for anyone and I know my family and I are grateful for the chance to do this."
Amanda Scase, Spalding 3011
Amanda, who works at HSBC in Spalding, worked her way up to the top Queens guide award and led her own brownie unit aged 18.
She will have run that unit for 10 years next year and also runs a senior section in Pinchbeck, takes part in community fundraising activities and has helped on litter picks around Spalding.
She was nominated by friend Amy Taylor, who runs a Brownies and senior section group with her and said: "She is a wonderful person and a credit to Spalding and I feel that she deserves this award for all the hard work she has put in over the years."
The Child of Courage contenders are:
Georgina Harrison, Crowland 3012
Georgina Harrison (16) has artificial legs and just two fingers on each hand but impressed teaching assistant and friend Caroline Nightingale for the way she does not let her condition stop her living her life.
Mrs Nightingale said: "Obviously sometimes it is really hard for her but she gets on with things. She does miss a lot of school but she still did really well which was due to hard work and sheer determination.
"She's really inspirational and lovely with it.
"She really really deserves some recognition."
Georgina's father was a child victim of the Thalidomide scandal of around 50 years ago - being born with stumps for hands and eventually having artificial legs after his mother was prescribed with the controversial drug during pregnancy.
Sophie Taylor, Spalding 3013
Thirteen-year-old Sophie Taylor was nominated for the award by her mum, Julie Taylor.
She has suffered with cerebral palsy from birth which effects her walking and balance, yet she is driven and determined to compete with able bodied teenagers.
The Spalding High School pupil enjoys horse riding, dressage and swimming and trains in both every week.
A member of South Lincs Competitive Swim Club, she swims up to six times a week, she also has her own pony and rides at least three times a week, as well as going to school.
Julie said: "She tries hard and everyday is a challenge for her but she rises to it.
"She is a very cheerful and positive person and she does everything brilliantly."
Daniel Hornby, Holbeach 3014
Brave Holbeach teenager Daniel Hornby has been posthumously nominated for the award.
Daniel died of a lung infection after a battle with a rare form of leukaemia earlier this year - but maintained his fun-loving outlook to life throughout.
He always enjoyed a laugh and joke with nurses and raised money for the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham by selling off his hair on eBay.
He was given a fitting farewell at his funeral, where he had a coffin shaped as a pink Nokia mobile phone and his many friends were encouraged to wear pink for the occasion.
Daniel was nominated by his mum Rachel O'Reilly - who recently pledge to make his birthday a fundraising occasion - after former school friends marked what would have been his 16th birthday with charity events.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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